"We want to move forward. What next?"

Now that we know we're on the same page (see PREPARING FOR THE ARCHITECT-CLIENT INTERVIEW), we build the foundation for a successful project, beginning with:

Contract and retainer When the budget, objectives, timeline, and chemistry are all in place, the next step is signing a contract. A retainer is required with your signed contract, which is applied to your final invoice. The retainer is typically 10% of the estimated fee.

Follow-up meeting This is an opportunity to continue the discussion about design we began during the interview. You may be able to fill in a few blanks that you hadn't been able to earlier, or you may have additional questions, ideas, or inspiration images to discuss.

Measure and draw existing To get started on a remodel or addition project, I first need to document what is there. This may be limited to relevant areas or include the entire house, depending on the scope of your project. Most Seattle homes that are "typical urban lot" size take two people 3.5-4.5 hours to measure, which includes significant architectural features (walls, doors, windows, etc.), but does not include mechanical or electrical systems and fixtures, or items which would require destructive demolition.

Note: We need to open closets, cabinets, etc. to measure how deep they are and will also take photographs. Access to the attic(s) and crawlspace(s) should be cleared and ladders provided, if needed.